Switch mechanism



(No Model.)

B. H. BRYANT.

SWITCH MECHANISM.

No. 591,810. Patented Oct 19,1897.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EHERY H. BRYANT, OF HANSON, MASSACHUSETTS.

SWITCH MECHANISM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 591,810, dated October 19, 1897.

Application filed December 16, 1896. Serial No. 615,876. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EMERY H. BRYANT, a resident of North Hanson, in the county of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Switch Mechanism; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in railroad-switch mechanism,and more particularly to the connection between the targetshaft of the switch-stand and the connectingrod extending therefrom to the switch.

The object of my invention is to provide simple and efficient means whereby to regulate the throw of the switch and to take up lost motion without rotating the target-shaft out of its proper limits.

Afurther object is to provide means whereby the switch-target (or light) will always be accurately set with respect to the track, so as to give accurate information to the engineers on locomotives and thus avoid doubtfnlsignals, such as are exhibited when the target (or light) is disposed between the ends of its throw.

A further object is to provide an adjustable connection between the target-shaft of a switch-stand and the connecting-rod of the switch which shall be simple in construction, and by means of which the apparatus can be easily and quickly adjusted, so as to result in insuring the efiectual and accurate operation of the same.

IVith these objects in view the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts, as hereinafter set forth, and pointed out in the claims. In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view of a switch-stand, showing the application of my improvements thereto. Figs. 2, 3, and 4 are detail views. Figs. 5 and 6 are views of modifications.

A represents a switch-stand, which may be of any approved construction, and B the target-shaft, passing through the same. The target-shaft is provided at its lower end with a head or hub O, and the latter is made with a lateral enlargement 1, to which the targetshaft is attached. The target-shaft is thus attached to the head or hub O to one side of the center thereof, so that aportion of said shaft overhangs or projects beyond one end of said hub or head and leaves a space 2 under the projecting portion of the enlargement 1, for a purpose presently explained.

The head-or hub O is made with a screwthreaded opening 3 for the accommodation of a screw-threaded crank-arm D, one end of which is provided with an eye 4 for the attachment thereto of the connecting-rod E, the other end of said connecting-rod being attached to the switch (not shown) in' any suitable manner.

From the construction and arrangement of parts above described it will be seen that the throw of the switch and the movements of the target can be quickly and accurately adj usted. By screwing the adjustable crank arm or screw-bolt through thetarget-shaft (or the hub C, attached thereto) the throw of the switch and target can be shortened or lengthened. Hence I find that a switch can be easily regulated in its throw from three and a half to five inches, and also that all lost motion can be compensated for without rotating the ing less throw, will be formed and that by moving it in the other direction the crankarm will be lengthened and the throw of the parts connected therewith correspondingly increased. It will also be seen that when the connecting-rod is attached to the screwthreaded crank-arm the latter will be efiectually locked from rotation, and hence the adjustable connection between the connecting rod and the target-shaft cannot become accidentally deranged. Y

My improvements are capable of Very fine adjustment, an adjustment to the extent of only one-half turn of the crank-arm being possible.

In Fig. 5 I have shown a double screwthreaded crank-arm O, to both ends of which connecting-rods may be attached, so as to give a short throw to one rod and a long throw to the other, or the crank-arm may be so attached to the target-shaft as to move both connecting-rods to the same extent. One end of the double crank-arm being provided with a screw-cap 5, which can be removed, the said crank-arm can be removed from the target shaft, if desired; or said screw-cap may be screwed on more or less, so

as to give additional adjustment. The crankarm or screw shown in Fig. 5 is especially designed for points such as movable frogs, where it is desired to throw one set in an opposite direction from the other, thereby having one stand do the work of two.

In Fig. 6 the connecting-rod is shown connected with the adjustable crank-arm by means of a hinge-pin, in which case the crankarm can be adjusted by a half-turn, so that said hinge-pin will project upwardly and thus render the accidental escape of the connecting-rod impossible.

Myimprovements are simple in construction and effectual in all respects in the performance of their functions.

By connecting the target-shaft with the ofi'set portion of the head or hub the space 2 will permit the free movement of the connecting-rod on short throw-stands.

Slight changes might be made in the details of construction of my invention without departing from the spirit thereof or limiting f its scope, and hence I do not wish to limit myself to the precise details herein set forth.

Having fully described my invention, what F I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is.

1. In a switch mechanism, the combination with a target-shaft and a connecting-rod, of a screw-threaded crank-arm passing through the lower end of said target-shaft and con nected with said connecting-rod.

2. In a switch mechanism, the combination with a target-shaft and-a connecting-rod, of a head or hub secured to the lower end of the target-shaft and having a screw-threaded opening, and a screw-threaded crankarm passing through said screw-threaded opening and connected with the connecting-rod, substantially as set forth,

3. In a switch mechanism, the combination with a target-shaft and a connecting-rod, of a head or hub, an offset or enlargement on said head or hub, to which the target-shaft is secured, a screwvthreaded crank-arm passing through said head or hub and a connection between said screw-threaded crank-arm and said connecting-rod, substantially as set forth.

4. In a switch-stand, the combination with 3 the spindle or target-shaft, of an adjustable crank comprising a socket, and crank-pin adj ustably mounted therein.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EMERY H. BRYANT.

Witnesses:

RODERICK D. HALL, JOHN BARBOUR. 

